This study traces the 35-year history of Nepal's Female Community Health Volunteers (FCHVs). Through document analysis, it reveals ongoing issues like gender roles, workload, and pay. Initially, FCHVs were male, but the program shifted to all-female volunteers due to maternal and child health goals. Despite their crucial role, FCHVs face challenges like low pay and increasing … [Read more...] about An anthropological history of Nepal’s Female Community Health Volunteer program: gender, policy, and social change
Nepal
Success in vaccination programming through community health workers: a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus group discussions from Nepal, Senegal and Zambia
This multiple case study investigated the role of community health workers (CHWs) in successful early childhood immunization programs in Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia. Through interviews and focus group discussions, factors contributing to CHW effectiveness were identified, including CHW organization, motivation, and trust. Improvements in immunization coverage were attributed to … [Read more...] about Success in vaccination programming through community health workers: a qualitative analysis of interviews and focus group discussions from Nepal, Senegal and Zambia
Sustainability of a 12-month lifestyle intervention delivered by community health workers in reducing blood pressure in Nepal: 5-year follow-up of the COBIN open-label, cluster randomised trial
This study aimed to investigate sustainable blood pressure reduction through a 12-month lifestyle intervention led by CHWs in Nepal. Results show that from baseline to 60 months, the mean systolic blood pressure increased by 10·4 mm Hg in the intervention group and 6·0 mm Hg (4·6–7·5) in the control group. The authors conclude that CHW-led lifestyle counseling and blood … [Read more...] about Sustainability of a 12-month lifestyle intervention delivered by community health workers in reducing blood pressure in Nepal: 5-year follow-up of the COBIN open-label, cluster randomised trial
Success in vaccination programming through community health workers: A case study of Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia
The purpose of this study was to identify different elements among community health worker programs that led to improved vaccination coverage in Senegal, Zambia, and Nepal. The study consisted of interviews and focus group discussions regarding the factors that led to successful early childhood immunization. Results found that implementation of a vaccination program consisted … [Read more...] about Success in vaccination programming through community health workers: A case study of Nepal, Senegal, and Zambia
Community health workers and health equity in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and recommendations for policy and practice
The goal of this review was to compile research findings on the following questions: (1) How effective are CHW interventions at reaching the most disadvantaged groups in LMIC contexts? and (2) What evidence exists on whether and how these programs reduce health inequities in the populations they serve? Researchers explored six academic databases for recent (2014-2020) studies … [Read more...] about Community health workers and health equity in low- and middle-income countries: systematic review and recommendations for policy and practice